The United Way of the Plains says there has been a 39 percent drop in chronic homelessness in the Wichita area, but there is a 3.5 percent increase in overall homelessness in the Wichita area.
The results are from the Point-In-Time Homeless Count that was conducted in January, when volunteers went into the streets and local shelters to survey individuals and families. The survey is a snapshot of homelessness on one specific night.
The total number of homeless persons in Wichita and Sedgwick County was 593, compared to 573 in last year’s survey. There were 57 homeless veterans, compared to 58 the previous year, and there were 20 chronically homeless persons, compared to 33 in 2018.
The survey also found 57 homeless persons who weren’t in shelters, compared to 58 the previous year. There were no homeless children under 18 without shelter, the same as the previous year.
Local officials say there was an increase in the number of transitional housing beds, and that led to the lower numbers for chronically homeless persons and the downward trend in homeless persons without shelter. Homeless people in transitional housing are still considered literally homeless, but not chronically homeless.
The data from the survey helps in applying for federal grants for homeless services, and it helps local officials in designing services and programs to help homeless persons.
